(Untitled)

[bloody_pens]

[To say that Castle is confused is putting it lightly.

A tall man with brown hair has suddenly appeared on one of the bridges spanning between the halves of the city- which was curious, considering that he'd just been sitting by a crappy motel pool with Beckett after his close call with the Triple Killer.

He tries hard not to panic.]Beckett? ...

Comments

[truthvalue]

[Souji is just casually strolling by, crossing the bridges like he does every day, searching for clues. Hey look at this, someone looks lost.]

Ah ... hello? Are you all right?

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[Castle has been wandering some more, still not quite wanting to accept that he's not in his home any longer. He looks frazzled at this point, and gives a half-nod.]

I'm trying to find someone I know. Anyone.

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[That annoying habit of offering help is still ingrained on him. Here goes nothing ... ]

Maybe I can help. There aren't many people here, and I think I've met most of them.

[bloody_pens]

I'd appreciate it. The woman I'm looking for... tall, brown hair down to her shoulders, probably carrying a police badge. Kate Beckett is her name. One minute it was nighttime and we were sitting together... next, I'm here.

Oh, and Castle is my name. Rick Castle.

[truthvalue]

Kate Beckett ... [Souji repeats the name, as if it will help his brain recall their meeting. He shakes his head.] I'm sorry, I haven't anyone by that name here.

[Souji inclines his head a little and offers his hand to shake, hoping this won't go the way it had with Gamzee.] It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Castle. I'm Souji Seta.

[bloody_pens]

[Castle shakes back- he's an ordinary human, thankfully, so it's just a normal handshake.]

... You, too, Souji. And thank you for trying to help, anyway. I just... I hope I didn't leave her by herself back there.

[truthvalue]

[He nods.] I'll keep an eye out for her, at any rate.

[And the thought of what happens to the people who've been left behind in their normal lives occurs to Souji for perhaps the first time.]

I guess that would make sense, though - if we're not there anymore.

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[Castle looks very uncomfortable at that, and tries- probably too late- to hide his worry.]

Yeah. Because this is totally different than the place I was before... And nobody knows how we got here? Or why we were brought here?

[truthvalue]

[Souji shakes his head, looking a little embarrassed at what he's about to report.]

Nobody's been able to provide a concrete explanation yet. So far, the most anyone's said is ... ah, that the city wanted us here.

[bloody_pens]

... it wanted us here?

[Castle furrows his eyebrows at that, not missing the headshake.]

Uh-huh. I gather you don't quite believe that, either.

[truthvalue]

It sounds a little ridiculous, suggesting a city's sentience. [But he has seen weirder things, to be honest.] But it's the only explanation we've been offered thusfar.

[bloody_pens]

And sometimes the most outlandish explanation IS the right one. ... But only sometimes. [Like all the times he's guessed a CIA or FBI interaction and been wrong. But he'll be right some day, damnit.] In this case, though, I have no other explanation, so this is as good a theory as any.

And we're not the only ones this has happened to, either. That's something of a comfort.

[truthvalue]

[Souji nods.] There are a couple dozen other people here, plus a handful who seem to be from here originally.

[bloody_pens]

People from here? [He brightens a little at that.] ... So there are natives... and then people who just appear. Hell of a strange place. I'd love to know the story behind it.

[truthvalue]

I wish I knew enough to tell you something ... they haven't been exactly forthcoming with details.

[bloody_pens]

[Castle then frowns slightly.]

... Can't say that I'm really surprised at that. After all, there'd be no point in bringing us here if we could just leave whenever we chose. Still, I'm sure someone's willing to spill SOMETHING.